Top 10 Best Hip Hop Artists

roblist

The Top Ten

1EminemEminem, born Marshall Bruce Mathers III, is an American rapper, actor and music producer born on October 17, 1972 in St. Joseph, Missouri. Eminem has sold over 300 million records making him the bestselling hip-hop artist of all time. In addition to his solo career, he is a member of D12 and (with Royce ...read more.

I guess this one is not about being a good rapper (where Slim is best too) but about being a good artist. Watch his lives! They are super. It isn't lip sync because he prepares his songs. SS forever.His music videos! Just lose it, lose yourself, not afraid, love the way you lie, when I am gone etc...(2 years later when I finish counting them). Best movie ever - 8 mile. Super autobiography.

IF Michael JACKSON IS CONSIDERED THE KING OF POP...Eminem MUST BE THE GOD OF RAP...KEEP rocking' EM...

Eminem's rapping style is unique. In every song, Slim has something novel to offer. After a really bad day, listening to Em's songs refreshes anyone who likes good music.

Eminem has more range than any other rapper in the game. From My Name Is to Mockingbird to Rap God.

22PacTupac Amaru Shakur, also known as 2Pac, was an American rapper and actor born on June 16, 1971 in East Harlem, New York. Tupac sold over 75 million records worldwide and has been referred to in multiple major publications such as Rolling Stone as one of the greatest music artists of all time. 2Pac was ...read more.

All his songs have meaning, he was a tough guy who grew from concrete, when tupac was young he was poor and a lot of people crushed his dreams from him becoming a rapper so he was slangin to support his mother and younger sister, pac is a real man, when he and biggie died, hip hop died along with them. ALTHOUGH I am rooting for 2014 MAKAVELLI!

Well here is my 2 cents in this, I believe that if you ask who is the BEST RAPPER EVER? It would be Eminem because he is a very well rounded rapper. He got the whole package (flow, wordplay, technique, content, metaphors, etc.). But if you ask who is the BEST HIP HOP ARTIST OR MUSICIAN? I'm going to say TUPAC because he influence the game time. He rap every song from his heart and all of his songs had a purpose. More importantly, he made songs about REAL LIFE and wanted to change the world and life style through his music!

THE GOAT, made perhaps the greatest hip hop album of all time! All Eyez On Me, and every song makes a difference!

3Notorious B.I.G.Christopher George Latore Wallace, better known by his stage name, The Notorious B.I.G (a.k.a. Biggie Smalls), is consistently ranked as one of the best rappers of all time. The Notorious B.I.G was born May 21, 1972, he was born in Brooklyn, New York. At the age of 24 The Notorious B.I.G was murdered ...read more.

The rule "nobody's perfectdidn't apply to Biggie: You'll be hard pressed to prove he wasn't the most skillful ever on the mic. His approach to rhyming amazing his flow is untouchable he has the abillity to freestyle on the spot he has swagger charm example he charm faith evans and married her over 2 years and they thad a kid together, He his great as a person great beats and the first ever rapper to get a diamond the lyrical genius a big voice and big talent and a big lost after his tragic death it has been a big lost to the hip hop industry. HE change the world and he was peaceful. He and Tupac have set the highest bar no other rapper can hit.

The best hip hop rap artist ever he should be first place me and my mates think biggie is the strait up G he comes first in our list but I am not sad with third but he was better then Eminem but slim is one of the best he was the first hip hop artist I liked.

He is the Notorious B. I. G. the greatest rap lyricist of all time, and if he was still alive he would be the best there is in the Hip Hop industry - roblist

4NasNasir bin Olu Dara Jones, better known by his stage name Nas, is an American rapper. His album, Illmatic, is considered to be one of the best rap albums of all time. He is also considered to be one of the best rappers of all time.

Nas is an excellent rapper and deserves that coveted number 1 spot!

Nas should be in the top 5, his lyrics are amazing and he is one of the best rappers of all time

Bar none the greatest lyricist of all time. Deepest lyrics of all time. Sing about me, I'm dying of thirst is mind blowing. If you doubt me look up the lyrical analysis of that. He also has very intelligent insights on popular issues. Blacker the berry is also a great example on how his lyrics often can have many meanings and hold two thoughts. He makes a statement on racism the entire song, but at the end the song comes full circle which adds a whole new thought to it. He talks about the presence of racism in America the whole time, while hinting that what he is saying is hypocritical. At the end (I don't want to give it all away) another message that the song embodies is that racism can come from everybody and everybody has been racist. The most poetic lyrics and is technically adept - Themusicman

Kendrick Lamar could only be second to Tupac. Not only for his lyrics, which are pure poetry relating to every possible theme, from the hood ghetto life, to love, from politics to religion, black emancipation and so on, and each of these themes is seen and told by a whole new perspective; but he also has an outstanding sense of music, with old school, funky, jazz, blues, classic and soul influences. No better rapper or artist in general. He is making a revolution not only in the industry, but also in music history.

Kendrick entails three things most artistes lack; rap creativity, humility- he don' like money, but deeply loves God. And thirdly, truth about life. He actually talks about modern-day situations and challenges which makes us rethink about our own personal lives. Think of him as the only philosopher who raps- a musical and rapping philosopher.

6Kanye WestKanye Omari West is an American rapper, songwriter, and fashion designer. He was born on June 8, 1977 in Atlanta, Georgia. After West's parents divorced, him and his single mother moved to Chicago, Illinois. At the age of 10, West temporarily moved to Nanjing, China, because his mother was teaching ...read more.

Kanye's music is inspiring art. Every single track he puts out is fire and he's very talented and smart. Don't be fooled by the media, when they benefit they like him but when they don't they hate him.

The best hip hop artist in 2014 for me. The most creative, there's no album which looks like Yeezus, no album as enjoyable as his last album since his dropping!Since College Dropout he still makes great music! His personality is also interesting and funny!

Kanye is god, he has really changed the game of rap, he showed that rap isn't always about being gangstar and ima shoot this

Most rapper's make it because of their personalities. Kanye's the only one that was so talented he made it in spite of his personality.

7Jay-ZShawn Corey Carter, known by his stage name JAY-Z, is an American rapper, entrepreneur and investor. He is best known for his album Reasonable Doubt.

JAY Z King of New York. Best Rapper Alive! All his albums are classic in rap history. Jay's dominance is largely fueled by his Grammy and BET omnipresence. Even if he hadn't taken home a single statue at these shows, his 16 Grammy nods and 23 BET nods would put him near the top; he earns the title thanks to his seven Grammy and nine BET wins, plus a handful of AMA and MTV wins.

I've always like Jay Z's flow and voice. I think he's 1 of the best Rappers ever.

8Dr. DreAndre Romelle Young, better known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics.

I wouldn't say Dre is the best rapper but he has had the biggest influence over Hip Hop/rap... he has made some of the kings of rap, including a god (Eminem) and has also made 2 of the best rap albums out there (2001 and The Chronic

Dr. Dre has without doubt the best beats of any producer to have ever been active in the rap scene. So even if he isn't the best rapper he is certainly the best producer.

Dr. Dre never wrote his own raps, he always had ghostwriters so I don't consider him a rapper

9Snoop DoggCordozar Calvin Broadus, Jr., known professionally as Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper and actor from Long Beach, California.

Snoop Dogg is the Boss dogg and is the greatest Hip Hop artist of this century. He may not have many followers but his songs are superb and humorous. Rhythms are sensible and crakalakin. He's got the jagger outta all em' kids. Go Snoop Doggy Dogg! - damiantop10

I love Snoop Dogg cause his music makes me feel much more cool and awesome than I already am!

I like the voice of snoop Dogg and his raping style...

Whenever you think of rap, he immediately comes to mind. Greatest ever.

10Ice CubeO'Shea Jackson, born June 15, 1969, known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper, record producer, actor, and filmmaker. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the seminal gangster rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built ...read more.

Ice Cube GhostWrote Eazy-E's song! It is not far to have him infront of Ice Cube! That makes Ice Cube upset! The greatest rapper of all time is definitely O Shea, he is even better than Tupac! And the greatest member of the NWA!

The greatest hardcore West coast rapper of all time! A true innovator and legend in the game! Death Certificate was his best work!

I have no idea how he isn't in at least the top 5, he should definitely be ahead of Dre, considering he wrote many of his songs.

The Newcomers

The Contenders

11Rakim

Rakim should be in the top 10 and should be 1 or 2 on the list or at least 3 or 4. He paved the way for every rapper on the top 10 list.

Rakim Allah, appropriately named, transformed lyricism in adding newer facets, supported by the legendary DJing of Eric B, by accentuating rhythm and commensurately interspersing the rhyme frequency of his lyrics, as evidenced by "I Know You Got Soul" and "Lyrics of Fury." His idiosyncrasy in lyrical composition is unmatched and has influenced some of today's rappers, namely Eminem.

I am baffled this man is so far down. There wouldn't even be an Eminem, 2Pac, Biggie without the great Rakim! I appreciate and love those guys but until R gets to the top 5 MINIMUM, I'm off this whack site!

This guy makes good music. My top 10 (in no order) for me is RAKIM and Gang Starr (whom I cannot believe is not even on this list at all) and then Tupac, Notorious BIG, NWA, Wu Tang Clan, Ice-T, Mobb Deep, Run DMC and Onyx...these guys are REAL HIP HOP! Many of the artists listed suck or unknown...

13Big LLamont Coleman (May 30, 1974 – February 15, 1999), best known by his stage name Big L, was an American hip hop recording artist, born and raised in Harlem, New York City, New York. Coleman embarked on his career in rapping, with the hip hop trio, Three the Hard Way. His first notable appearance came ...read more.

How the hell is Big L below Drake? You people don't know real hip hop

He is the definition of the best hip hop

I have maad respect for big l and mad love for him my favorite song is unexpected flava Rest In Peace

The Wu made such a big impact with its huge amount of members, each one of them with their unique style. RZA, GZA, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, U-God, Masta Killah, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Ol' Dirty Bastard.

15OutKastOutkast is an American hip hop duo formed in 1991, in East Point, Atlanta, Georgia, composed of Atlanta-based rappers André "André 3000" Benjamin (formerly known as Dré) and Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. The duo achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success in the 1990s and early 2000s, helping ...read more.

What the hell people, Eminem isn't near of being a hip hop artist he is hardly a rapper anymore, outkast is awesome

OutKast IS HIP HOP, plain and simple.Most of the artists on this list are terrible.Outkast have been in the game for a long time and they are the best duo ever.

It's Outkast. 'enough said.

Somehow drake is higher than outkast...please.

16Tribe Called Quest

How is tribe called quest not placed higher than 22? They are the best MC in hip hop history; Tied with the roots and geto boys. However I don't even see the other two listed on here. Sad, that people consider the TURD FACE Lil Wayne better than the amazing, ATCQ

If Tribe isn't in your top ten and you listen to hip hop or rap then I don't know what you're listening to...

This site is whack saying these legends are worse that "Lil herb"

A Tribe Called Quest should be number 1. The Low End Theory one of the greatest LP's ever made, not just in hip hop. Then they made midnight marauders which is in the top five hip hop LP's of all time. The most consistent, influential and innovative group ever.

17Eazy-EEric Lynn Wright better known by his stage name "Eazy-E", was an American rapper who performed solo and in the hip hop group N.W.A. He is affectionately called "The Godfather of Gangsta Rap". He was born to Richard and Kathie Wright in Compton, California. On March 26, 1995 Eazy-E dies from complications ...read more.

People don't understand WHO Eazy-E is! All that talk of Hip Hop and G Funk, if it wasn't for Eazy-E those spoiled idiots wouldn't know what it is! Eazy-E is better than Tupac, Biggie, Eminem, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, Nas, 50 Cent and even Snoop Dogg! The greatest legend in the music RIP Eric Lynn Wright, dead at 32!

The greatest gangster rapper of all time, and the greatest West Coast repper of all time! Eazy-E is one of the founders of G-Funk and he has paved the way for such rappers like The Game! He has done everything in the hip hop industry and I wish he was still alive, to give Lil Wayne a piece of his mind! Eazy-E was the greatest and always will be!

How could someone not like Eazy-E? He's a frickin pimp! but I do like all of these and it was really hard to true.. especially with 2Pac and Eminem in there.

Eazy e is the best gangsta rapper he told the world how comptonpd behaved with them

20B.O.B.Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr., better known by his stage name B.o.B, is an American recording artist and music producer from Decatur, Georgia.

B.O. B is way better than kanye west. I don't understand why hip hop songs are judged on the basis of beats and rapping style and not on lyrics. Some of bobby ray's songs are way more sensible than the songs of the listed top ten artists.